About Teens

Shannon’s curfew is 11pm. Period. She knows the rule: Be home by 11pm or you’re in trouble.

So, it’s Saturday night at 10:30pm. Shannon is at her friend’s house. Bobby and I are both in the downstairs family room waiting up for her. We’re watching TV having a conversation about how she’d best be home by 11pm to avoid getting in trouble. We both agree about this.

It’s 10:45pm. I keep glancing out the back door hoping to see her stroll in.

It’s now 11:10pm. No Shannon. I’m practically staring at the back door now while straining my ear to hear a car door close. Nothing. Bobby and I look at each other. I look at the dog. This isn’t going to be good.

At 11:20pm I’m starting to worry. She hasn’t called. She should have at the very least called to let us know she’s running late but noooooooooo. Not a peep.

At 11:35pm Shannon walks through the door. She tells us there was an accident and they had to wait until they could pass. Said she even texted me, exclaims how tired and sorry she is and heads up stairs to get ready for bed.

I check my cell phone. Sure enough at 10:57pm there’s a text from Shannon that Bobby and I now read: “There’s an accident by paradise. Been here for like 12 mins. I’ll be home asap! They’re clearing it up.”

Well if this isn’t the biggest line of bull we’ve heard in a while. We call Shannon downstairs and explain she has one chance and once chance only to tell us the truth. Was there a car accident? No, there wasn’t. She lied because she didn’t want to get in trouble. Well, hello, you’re late. You’re going to get in trouble. You can’t just stroll in when you want. There’s a price to pay for not following rules. And now to top it all off you’re lying. Not good.

As you guessed it, Shan’s on restriction now: no out during the week and only out 1 night on her choice of Friday or Saturday.  

About the Author We were all teenagers once, right? Try raising one in today's tech-centric, fast moving lifestyle. Join CF Marketing Manager Jeanne Slaughter as she blogs, laughs and cries her way through her daughter Shannon's teenage years.   Did Shannon have a baby? Read last week's blog to get the scoop.